Broken to Marathon: Part 1 – Freestyle Flip-turn with 38 pics

*This eBook is only the first of three sections of the whole novel, including chapters 1-15, with the addition of 38 extra images.Before the accident, I was just a carefree backpacker weaving my way across Asia until my luck ran out when I got knocked down crossing the street in Bangkok. Part one of this memoir chronicles the first ten weeks after the accident, from a broken leg in the hospital to freestyle swimming, accepting that change is inevitable, yet growth is optional. Along the way, I battle the slippery slope of opioid-based painkillers, play billiards with the Muay Thai guys, and elaborate on sitting meditation. During this journey, I endure a grueling rehab from a walker to crutches to a cane while perfecting my flip-turn for continuous freestyle lap swimming.Extract: Although my muscle memory knew exactly how this worked, executing a proper flip-turn requires a brave commitment, as it must be done just a few inches from the pool’s edge. Nevertheless, the dreadful anxiety that plagued my mind was an irrational fear that if I didn’t tuck my legs with the forward flip, I might hit my injured leg on the pool’s edge. This fear made me repeatedly hesitate, leading to a pessimistic frustration, but I knew I could overcome this barrier if I just believed in myself and my body’s ability. I have found in life that you sometimes just need to weigh the risk versus reward scenario, and if the action isn’t life-threatening, you must quiet the voice of fear and push beyond your comfort zone to rise above perceived limitations. Alternatively, if you yield to fear and give up on steady progress, you will have to live with the stinging regret of accepting failure. It took a few days of stubborn determination to effectively add this final hat trick to the freestyle program. However, once I did, I was confident I could achieve anything I set my mind to if I was willing to push beyond my comfort zone and bring my dream to reality. Read more